Cuesta College on track to enroll most students in more than a decade. Here’s why
The student population at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo County is growing.
According to a news release from Cuesta, the college has seen enrollment grow over the last year at both its San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles campuses, thanks to initiatives targeted at expanding access to higher education.
Vice president of instruction Jason Curtis told The Tribune through a spokesperson that the college increased its enrollment in fall by about 160 full-time-equivalent students.
“If this trend continues, we expect to exceed 8,100 FTES in 2025-26, up 3.25% from last academic year,” he said. “This would be our highest enrollment since 2012-13, when Cuesta College reached 8,001 FTES.”
Curtis attributed that growth to specific initiatives and programs the college has undertaken to improve the accessibility and affordability of a college education.
Specifically, the college has expanded its course offerings at the California Men’s Colony, allowing incarcerated students to enroll in more classes, Curtis said. Cuesta also partners with local high schools to provide dual credit options.
Dual enrollment students account for about 10% of the college’s full-time-equivalents, Curtis said.
Additionally, Cuesta expanded its tutoring options to improve student retention, he added.
The news release also highlighted the Cuesta Promise — an initiative that covers the cost of college enrollment for local students for two consecutive years, beginning the fall after their high school graduation.
“Together, these efforts directly support more students in completing their educational goals,” Curtis said.
